March Is Women's History Month Celebrating Women in Healthcare

Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell (1849)

The first woman to receive an M.D. degree from an American medical school. “Turned away by more than 10 medical schools, Blackwell refused a professor’s suggestion that she disguise herself as a male to gain admission. “It was to my mind a moral crusade,” she wrote at the time. “It must be pursued in the light of day, and with public sanction, in order to accomplish its end.”

Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler (1864)

The first African American woman to earn an M.D. degree. “Crumpler gained entrance to the New England Female Medical College in Boston, Massachusetts, after working for eight years as a nurse in nearby Charlestown and receiving letters from doctors commending her. When she completed her education in 1864, she became the only black graduate in the school’s history.”

Dr. Mary Putnam Jacobi (1849)

The first woman to become a member of the Academy of Medicine. “Jacobi fought hard for her female peers. She argued for coeducation for medical students, noting that existing women’s medical schools could not provide the same clinical experience as major hospitals. In 1872, she created the Association for the Advancement of the Medical Education of Women to address inequities.”

Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte (1889)

The first American Indian woman in the United State to receive a medical degree. “The daughter of an Omaha chief who believed in partnering with white reform groups, Picotte studied in New Jersey and then taught at a Quaker school on the Omaha reservation. There, she helped care for ailing ethnologist Alice Fletcher, who urged her to pursue medicine. In 1889, Picotte graduated from the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania at the top of her class.”

The above list is just a fraction of the women who have changed healthcare. The article, Celebrating 10 women medical pioneers, includes five more notable women. Details provided above can be found on Changing the face of Medicine along with the accomplishments of hundreds of other women.

Regulatory Reminders: Business Associate Agreements

Practices work hard to stay in compliance with HIPAA rules by monitoring internally, having clear policies and procedures, and using due diligence when employees leave their practices. External and vendor relationships are common and have their own complicating factors to stay in compliance with HIPAA. A common way to ensure organizations know their responsibilities if there is a breach, is to utilize a Business Associate Agreement (BAA). BAA’s are often signed at the beginning of a relationship, but are they up-to-date with the latest changes in your organization so they protect you? Review the list of external relationships and ensure a BAA is on file.

The U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services has additional insights on how to stay compliant with HIPAA

NC Tracks Office Administrator (OA) Change Tips

Keeping your Office Administrator (OA) up to date in NC Tracks is important to ensure you are able to make necessary modifications for the practice. This recent announcement from NC Tracks has useful information on how to make changes in the system and includes details on specific questions you might have. Additional questions you may have might be answered on the FAQ page.

Recent Reports of Medicaid Patients
with Marketplace Plans

There has been a recent uptick of Medicaid beneficiaries presenting who also have a marketplace plan. These situations are often confusing for the patient and staff. If the patient has been fraudulently signed up for a plan, staff can assist them with the following information:

To report insurance fraud:

If the patient knows who they spoke with, they should:
Call 855-408-1212 option 6 for a live representative.
Ask for consumer services.
To get the plan cancelled the patient must call Federal Marketplace and file a report:1-800-318-2596.
They will research it and can cancel the policy if no claims have been filed.
There are tax implications for patients if they do not report it and have the plan cancelled.
NC DOI advised that practice should not file a claim to the marketplace plan if patient denies signing up for plan. The day the patient reports fraudulent activity, the plan will be cancelled effective that day. The case is then escalated for a full investigation, which would take 45 days. If the investigation concludes that the plan was fraudulent, the cancelation effective date will be changed to the date the plan was initiated.

The Consumer Fraud in Health Insurance Marketplace has additional resources and printer friendly information.

Win some South Piedmont AHEC Swag!

If a patient is fraudulently signed up for a marketplace plan,
who should they call?
The first three to respond to the question above with the correct answers to
Practice Support will receive a prize.

AHEC Class Spotlight

Recruitment and Retention in Healthcare Settings

April 3, 2025 | 12 PM–1:30 PM

Heather Krasna, PhD, EdM, MS

In this interactive webinar led by Dr. Heather Krasna, one of the world’s leading experts on public health and the healthcare workforce, you will gain key skills and learn cutting-edge tips to help attract and retain public health workers. This activity is focused on requirement and retention in the healthcare setting.

Leadership through Communication

March 27, 2025 | 12 PM–1:30 PM
Ki'Yonna Jones, MHA, MBA

During this interactive webinar, participants will learn to identify the significance of effective communication and its impact on organizational culture, team performance, and employee engagement. Participants will explore communication strategies to build stronger team relationships, foster collaboration, and advance organizational goals.

Additional Resources

Medicaid Managed Care

Latest Course Catalog

Collaborative Care Model

Prior Practice Support Newsletters

South Piedmont AHEC Practice Support

Helping You Meet the Challenges!